The Littleton City Council voted 5-2 on Nov. 15 to approve Debbie Brinkman as the city’s mayor, a position that carries the administrative duty of leading council meetings.

The council also voted 5-2 in favor of appointing member Bruce Stahlman as mayor pro tem. In both instances Councilman Phil Cernanec was nominated though ultimately not appointed.

Brinkman, who represents District 4, has a background in marketing, though she now owns an organization and interior-design small business.

“I have my own business, so on many levels I can make my own schedule,” Brinkman said in explaining why she desired the two-year position. “I don’t feel that the position of mayor is a full-time job, and I don’t think it should be,” she added, saying the actual responsibilities of the council are split among its seven members. “(I’m) pretty good at time management and keeping things organized and keeping the balls in the air, so I feel comfortable doing this.”

Prior to the votes, recently elected District 2 council member Jerry Valdes and at-large members Peggy Cole and Bruce Beckman took oaths of office. Brinkman ran unopposed in the Nov. 1 election.

Beckman is serving a two-year term, and Valdes, Cole and Brinkman are serving four-year terms.